2013 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships kickoff with a bang

Kingston, R.I. (June 28, 2013) – The first day of round robin play kicked off at the 2013 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, presented by the National Guard, today at the University of Rhode Island in the town of Kingston, R.I. Teams from all over the eastern United States took to the field representing home states as the pursuit for the National Championship continues.

Ten teams started their tournament Friday looking to defend their titles as Region I Champions, with four 2012 US Youth Soccer National Champions in the field of teams.

The Region I Championships features top teams in the Under-12 through Under-19 age groups and began on June 27, with opening ceremonies at Meade Stadium in Kingston, R.I. Round robin games take place today through Sunday, June 30, with semifinal matches Monday, July 1. The regional champions will be crowned following final games on Tuesday, July 2.

Notes from today’s games of 5 of the 10 returning 2012 US Youth Soccer Region I Champions…

Under-13 Girls

Returning 2012 Region I Champions World Class FC 99 (ENY) made an emphatic statement to open up their 2013 group play with an 8-1 victory over WV Chaos 99 (WV). With 8 goals from 5 different goal scorers, World Class FC 99 showed why they could become the first U-13 girls team from Region I to, with the addition of the age group this year, qualify for the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

Under-13 Boys

PDA Rooney (NJ), hoping to become the first U-13 boys team from Region I to qualify for the US Youth Soccer National Championships, looked to defend their title with a win. They met tough opposition in NHPSA Classic Elite (NH) who grabbed a brace from Jhulandra Acharya with goals in the 27th and 65th minutes. PDA Rooney looked to make a late run with a goal in the 67th minute from Michael Cortez, but NHPSA’s defense held for the 2-1 victory.

Under-15 Girls

MSC Coyotes (MD) are not only returning Region I Champions, but also the 2012 U-14 girls National Champions, as well as this year’s US Youth Soccer National League Division Champions. The Coyotes didn’t wait long to start their title defense with an early goal from Clare Severe in the 5th minute of play. Three more goals would come as the Coyotes looked to be in championship form with a solid 4-0 win over Seacoast United Maine SC Marines Showcase JN (ME).

Under-18 Girls

VSA Heat Blue, who has already qualified for the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships via the National League, struggled in their opener against TS United (PA-E). The first half found both teams struggling to keep possession with great defense by both sides. VSA’s patience and high defensive pressure kept TS United from creating any goal scoring opportunities while their offense produced just enough to find Kristin Schnurr early in the second half for the game winner and the 1-0 victory.

"The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is where you find the best of competition," said VSA Heat Blue’s head coach Stephen Smith. "Our girls are excited to play and we know every game will be a tough grind as we go forward."

Under-18 Boys

The 2012 National Championships ended in dissapointment for Beadling SC 94/95 (PA-W) after finishing just one win short of the championship game. With the national final as their goal, they started their road back with a solid 3-1 win over the WVSC Wizards (WV). A goal in the first minute of play by Matthew Loughnane set the tone for the match. Beadling would capitalize on the early momentum to score another in just the 7th minute from Jamie Luchini. Samuel Revercomb sparked hope in WVSC with a goal in the 25th minute but Luchini would complete his brace with a goal in the 51st minute of play to put the game out of reach and a 3-1 victory.

Regional winners of the Under-13 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 23-28, at Overland Park soccer Complex in Overland Park, Kan.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-13 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 88 teams.